Buckle.



No. 686,864. Patented Nov. I9, I91".

F. REES.

BUCKLE.

(Application filed Max. 28, 1901.)

(No Model.)

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UNiTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRED REES, OF MADRID, IOWA.

BUCKLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent NO. 686,864, dated November 19, 1901. Application filed March 23, 1901. Serial No. 52,597. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRED REES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Madrid, in the county of Boone and State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful Buckle, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to buckles adapted for use on harness; and the object of the same is to provide a simple, strong, and durable buckle having means for facilitating the attachment or detachment of a strap in relation thereto and prevent accidental disengagement of the latter and also shield the tongue and prevent the same catching on adjacent devices or with the tail of an animal, the said buckle-tongue being also held away from contact with the body of the animal when applied or with other adjacent surfaces when used for purposes other than connecting portions of harness.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the several parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of a buckle embodying the features of the invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section through the strap-engaging portion carrying the tongue.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

The numeral 1 designates the buckle-body, comprising opposite side bars 2, connected by opposite end bars 3 and 4, the end bar 4: be ing reduced in thickness and located close to the plane of the top edges of the side bars to permit a strap extremity or like device for connecting the buckle to fit in the said side bars and avoid abulky projection of the same. The connecting-strap or like device is attached to an intermediate cross-bar 5, and in advance of said cross bar the side bars 2 are reduced and have their inner portions 6 rounded to form guides, the inner upper portion of the end bar 3 being formed with a shoulder 7 to serve as a limiting-stop and also has a tongue 8 rigidly extending inwardly therefrom. Between the reduced portions of the side bars a slide 9 is mounted and has grooves 10 in the opposite side edges thereof to fit over the inner curved portions 6 of the said side bars. The slide is open and has a rear connecting-bar 11 with a central seatrecess 12 to receive the free end of the tongue 8, the side portions of the slide covering the upper and lower and inner portions of the reduced side bars. The front extremities of the side portions of the slide are connected by a transverse bar 13, havinga central longitudinally-disposed opening 14 to permit the tongue 8 to slip through said bar, the upper portion of the bar 13 being adapted to contact with the shoulder 7 when the free end of the tongue shall have entered the seat-re cess 12. The bar 13 is angularly cutaway at the front to partially embrace the front crossbar 3 and to form a lower combined guiding and bracing extension 15, that materially assists in maintaining the direct movement of the slide irrespective of Wear of the same, shields and braces the under portion of the tongue, and aids in pushing the strap extremity rearwardly in making the disconnection thereof. The said extension has its lower side flush with the under adjacent edges of the side bars 2, the under portion of the crossbar 3 being slightly recessed for this purpose.

There are several ways of connecting a strap to the tongue 8; but one of the simplest modes is to push the slide rearwardly to clear the tongue, slip the strap through the opening of said slide, so that an aperture of the strap will engage the tongue, and then push the slide forward to cause the bar 11 to advance and bring the rear end of the tongue in the recess 12. The strap may then have its loose extremity passed upwardly over the crossbar 5 and under the end bar 4:. In detaching the strap the slide is moved rearwardly to cause the bar 13 thereof to shove the strap off the tongue. In first attaching the strap it may by its stiffness be slightly bulky; but after several applications it will become shaped to the buckle and work very easily.

The improved device can be generally applied and is not confined to'its use on harness, and it will be seen that by its use a strap can be quickly attached or detached. It is also obvious that changes in the form, size, and proportions of the various parts may be resorted to without departing from the principle of the invention.

extension to fit under the end bar carrying the ton gueto shield the latter and brace the slide.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

FRED REES.

Witnesses:

A. R. STovER, O. S. LAWBAUGH. 

